Commissioners to hold public hearing concerning agri-industrial style chicken operations this Tuesday

disturbance permits and any other approvals or permits...regarding new commercial poultry operations or the expansion of existing commercial poultry operations in Gordon County. The moratorium was approved to give the commissioners time to review the current ordinance concerning commercial poultry operations, with an opportunity for the public to make comments and ask questions, while finding a resolution to strike a balance between industrial chicken operations and others who reside in those areas and are affected negatively by the operations.

Concerns have been brought before the Board from citizens who feel there are too many “mega houses” being built in small communities throughout the county, especially in the Sugar Valley area. Residents have brought complaints to the Board alleging certain mega chicken houses are negatively affecting property values and the use and enjoyment of personal property. Residents have pointed out that, at certain times, the smells emitted from chicken houses in the county actually reach the city of Calhoun.

Mega houses, in context of the poultry industry, are chicken houses that are as large as 60 feet wide and 600 feet long, holding up to 52,000 birds each.

The county has also been notified that there are poultry operators looking to bring as many as 100 of the mega houses to Gordon County; at full capacity, that would bring an additional 5,200,000 chickens to the area.